SATURDAY'S Harwich Parkrun saw 95 individuals taking part - eight of which were first-timers and 17 recorded new personal bests (PBs).

Prior to Saturday, the Parkrun team were worried about the potential state of the course, given the weather conditions.

As it happened, the course was fine, the sea calm and the sun shining.

First back to the bandstand was Lee Kennedy, with a PB time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.

It was the fifth time he has taken part and the fifth time he has been the first back.

Second home was Harwich Runner Archie Barrington, running in the junior 15 to 17 category, with a time of 20m 37s.

Third back was Harwich Runner Ian Cannons, with a new PB time of 20m 48s.

For the ladies, the first back was Ellie Haynes, with a PB time of 23m 45s.

Second was Harwich Runner Ann Piercy, in 24m 52s, and third was Nicola Flatt, another Harwich Runner, with a time of 25m 13s.

There were 27 club members taking part and these included Norman Gooch, who was fifth in 21m 23s.

Harry Young managed a 65-second PB to record 24m 45s, finishing 19th.

Amos Seddon ran the Clacton event and Kieran Callaghan opted for Colchester, recording 26m 43s and 24m 6s respectively.

Dennis Warner, while in Australia, ran 23m 1s, finishing first in age at the Sandgate Parkrun, near Queensland.

The evening before, Harwich Runners enjoyed their annual awards presentation evening.

The most improved cross-country runners were Madeline Lewis and Simon Day.

Day also won the triathlon award.

The overall winner of the championship challenge was Mark Lloyd and Graeme Knott, Hugo Jardim, Anne Herbert and Alice Cole were division winners.

Archie Barrington received the Janet Thomas Trophy for the work he has put in for the club during the year.

Will Roxby Clarke was voted club person of the year and Sam Gooding Matthews once again won the Paarlauf Trophy. Club five-mile handicap race winners were Justin Burls and Jez Downs.

New club records were set by Ann Piercy, Elspeth Knott and Glyn Peck and Mark Lloyd set three new records, improving on times set 20 years previous.

Downs had a particularly good evening.

As well as winning the Handicap Trophy, he was the most improved runner of 2016, best new member and he also won the trophy for race performance of the year.